“Heidi…?”
“It’s good,” Heidi interrupted him immediately, giving him a wary smile. “It’s just fine – different – but fine.”
“I was telling her about Grandma Inez’s donuts and…”
“Oh man,” Jack sighed wistfully, causing Heidi to look at him once more before looking away. “Mimi, I wish I could have tried them the way you’ve described them.”
“It’s been such a long time since I’ve made them, but I just don’t have the knack anymore or…”
“I’m sure they would be good,” he volunteered and looked at the silent woman once more. “Heidi, you could probably…”
“Be gone?” Heidi chimed in, interrupting him again – but this time with a bit more force to her tone as her eyes met his. There was no mistaking what she meant or intended. “Yeah, I’ll probably be gone just as soon as my car gets repaired – and on that note, I need to get a ride to a town that actually has an ATM so I can pay the moment it’s ready.”
“Why don’t I take you?” Jack offered, feeling a thread of nervous energy pulled tight within him. “I could take you out to get a few things, we could grab dinner together and…”
“It’s not a date,” she replied, looking dismayed. “I justneed to access my bank account, so I’m not stranded worse than I already am.”
“Aww,” Mimi-to-the-rescue chimed in. “You two are young. Go have some fun and get out for a while. You two don’t need to hang out with me – I’m an old lady, and you both would have such a wonderful time…”
“I’m not looking for a boyfriend – remember?”
Jack looked between Heidi’s frustrated expression and his grandmother’s serene one. Mimi lifted an eyebrow, raised her coffee cup, and spoke once more – cool, calm, unassuming, and pointedly.
“I don’t believe anyone uttered the word ‘boyfriend’ at this table exceptyou…”
You could have heard a pin drop. Heidi’s face was pale, and her lips were pinched. Jack felt his own face flush, feeling awkward for her and frustrated that his grandmother felt free enough to point out something that would put yet another roadblock between him and Heidi.
“I’ll take you,” he repeated quietly. “It would be nice to get a few supplies for the house, get away for a bit, and you can run a few errands. Depending on the time, I guess we can see how the afternoon plays out – if that works for you?”
The clock on the wall ticked softly, but to him it sounded like a drum, loudly beating in time with his heart as he waited. He could see the indecision on her face, wondered if maybe he was pushing too hard – or perhaps she just wasn’t interested in him at all. What if there was someone else that she was keen on and he never had a chance, or…
“That would be nice – thank you.”
His breath whooshed out of him in relief, causing his grandmother to roll her eyes as she smiled. Yeah, he had zero game when it came to dating, and they both knew it… but that didn’t mean Heidi had to know. Yeah, he needed to play it cool around her, so she didn’t realize what a dork he was.
“Let me just clean up the dishes and…”
“No ma’am,” Mimi interrupted, looking scandalized. “Don’t touch my skillet or my dishes. You have to clean them a certain way, or it ruins the seasoning on it – plus, I’m particular when it comes to my plates. You two run along and have fun.”
“Are you sure?” Heidi asked again, almost looking desperate to hang around for a little while longer with his grandmother – which was not the anticipated reaction of her staying here. He hoped to catch her hanging around outside, maybe in the moonlight, or to take a stroll together. Maybe he could light a few citronella torches, see if she’d like to come over and have a little hot tea in the evening air to chat… but that was all falling apart before his eyes.
“Go,” his grandmother pressed with a smile, patting Heidi on the arm. “You two get out of here, have a nice chat, or relax a bit. I know it’s been ages since Jack…”
“Mimi,” he interrupted quickly, trying to save his dignity.
“Went out with a young lady,” his grandmother continued. “He’s a good boy – shy, tenderhearted, afraid to get his heart broken but…”
“Mimi,” he pressed again, shooting to his feet with zero ego or dignity left within him. Heck, he might as well be naked the way she was flaying every bit of swagger he’d ever attempted to have in his lifetime. Nope, she had gutted him like a fish before the woman he liked – his face blushing like a teenager.
“I’m sure he is,” Heidi said tightly, refusing to look at him. “I know what that feels like, so I don’t blame him. I appreciate what you are trying to do, Mimi. You’re sweet tolook out for Jack if he’s truly that shy – but I’m not interested. I’ve had enough of men in my life… period.”
“Oh Heidi… why?” Mimi asked, her voice softening – and heaven help him, Jack couldn’t move. Had someone broken her heart? Recently? Was she still in love with this guy, and that’s why she was so dead-set against giving him a chance?
“Why?” Heidi began bitterly, her voice trembling. “Why? Why should I be so upset? Well, I’m sick of being used, treated like garbage, and hurt,” he heard her pause as she rose to her feet like a furious queen, leaving both him and his grandmother stunned at the anger radiating from her. “Why? Why? Why? Well, I’ll tell you why I’m not interested…”
“Heidi,” Jack hesitated, not sure he wanted to know if it was creating such a painful feeling that was easily obvious. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her – that was, in fact, the exact opposite of what he wanted.
“No – you asked,” she slammed his interruption down, putting up a hand and looked at his grandmother. “You both have been kind, you both have opened your home to me – a stranger – but if you think something is going to happen, then we need to clear the air.”
